GRCC Receives $4 Million Grant for Early Reading Programs: Hundreds of Low-Income Children to Benefit from New Programs

Press Release

GRCC Receives $4 Million Grant for Early Reading Programs: Hundreds of Low-Income Children to Benefit from New Programs

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Grand Rapids Community College a $4.5 million grant under its Early Reading First Grant Program for the establishment of centers in the Grand Rapids area to serve low-income children in learning to read. GRCC will develop Centers of Early Childhood Educational Excellence at five sites in Grand Rapids, serving 144 at-risk children in 9 early childhood classrooms each year. The grant will be awarded for a three-year period beginning in September.

GRCC is partnering with Grand Rapids Public Schools and the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids to implement the project.

"Reading is the foundation of a good education," said Congressman Ehlers. "Children who fall behind in their early education often struggle to keep up with their peers. Reading skills also open the door for other subjects, such as math and science, which are critical skills in today's world. I applaud Grand Rapids Community College for winning this grant. I am pleased that I was able to assist them in securing it."

Officials at Grand Rapids Community College are looking forward to putting the program in place. "The Early Reading First grant will provide GRCC with the resources to help create a new generation of successful learners," said Judith Larsen, grant writer from GRCC. By providing preschool children with the necessary language, cognitive and early reading skills, we will be laying the foundation for lifelong learning and success in life."

The Education Department at GRCC will play the key role in implementing the program with GRPS and YMCA. "We are very excited about having this opportunity to expand our collaboration with the GRPS and David D. Huntington YMCA Great Start Readiness Programs," said Becky Brinks, Program Director in GRCC's Education Department. "Preschool educators are in a key position to influence the development of early literacy skills by providing literacy rich classroom environments and using intentional instructional strategies. Through the Early Reading First grant preschool teachers will receive professional development experiences and coaching in their own classrooms to enable them to immerse four year old children who may be "at risk" of school failure in research based early literacy activities."

Joanne Kelty, Director of Early Childhood at GRPS, said: "We are thrilled to once again be collaborating with GRCC. These funds are going to allow us to better serve our Pre-K families. Research tells us that if we improve the language and literacy skills of each Pre-K child, we can improve their readiness for Kindergarten and increase their chance for later success in school."

GRCC provides education for approximately 26,000 credit and non-credit students each year. The College's mission, enabled by its open door policy, is to provide learning opportunities to anyone who seeks higher education.

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